With the January transfer window ticking down to its final hours, Manchester United still have crucial business to finalize.
Ruben Amorim’s arrival in November was expected to spark an immediate turnaround, but after Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace, United find themselves in the bottom half of the table, a staggering 12 points worse off than at this stage last season. Despite his focus on the “next game,” as he put it following the Palace loss, Amorim will be fully aware that reinforcements are needed if United are to salvage their season.
The biggest talking point has been Marcus Rashford’s shock loan move to Aston Villa, a decision that has freed up wages but left a significant gap in United’s attack. The club has been actively pursuing a replacement, but a deal for Mathys Tel now looks unlikely, with Bayern Munich unwilling to sanction a move. With Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee struggling to provide consistent firepower, United fans are desperate for attacking reinforcements before the window slams shut.
Two names that have been linked are Christopher Nkunku and Leon Bailey, though neither deal appears imminent. Nkunku, who could slot into one of Amorim’s two No.10 roles, remains a long shot due to Chelsea’s reluctance to strengthen a rival mid-season. Meanwhile, Bailey has been considered as an option, but no formal bid has materialized. Another name mentioned in speculation was Matheus Cunha, but after signing a new deal at Wolves, his future now appears firmly at Molineux.
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With a deadline-day arrival looking uncertain, fans might have to settle for a long-term strategy—one that could revolve around Viktor Gyokeres. The Swedish striker has flourished under Amorim at Sporting CP, and while a January reunion is out of the question, murmurs of a pre-agreement for the summer would go a long way in reassuring supporters. Amorim himself previously stated he wouldn’t raid his former club mid-season, but a summer pursuit of Gyokeres seems inevitable.
On the departure front, Alejandro Garnacho’s future has also been a hot topic. There was interest from abroad after United signaled a willingness to listen to offers for the right price, but Amorim’s reliance on the Argentine suggests he is staying put—at least for now. However, Tyrell Malacia could still leave before the deadline, with Dorgu’s arrival pushing him further down the pecking order. A proposed move to Benfica collapsed over the weekend, leaving the Dutchman scrambling for alternatives.
Ultimately, a dream deadline day for United would see them secure a stopgap attacking option while laying the groundwork for a summer rebuild. Amorim has made it clear that his long-term project will require patience, but fans are eager for immediate improvements. With just hours left in the window, all eyes are on Old Trafford to see if United can pull off a last-minute move to strengthen their squad for the second half of the season.
